Russell "Tuffy" McBride Memorial Fund

Sadly, on October 16, 2021, our brother, Russell McBride, Jr. (aka “Tuffy” to all who knew and loved him) suffered a fatal heart attack. It was a sudden and tragic end to the life of a beautiful soul who will be greatly missed.

Tuffy was a dedicated public servant who worked throughout his life to help others in need. Growing up in Wilmington as one of eleven children, he knew the importance of a loving and supportive family and the joy of volunteering and giving back to his community. He was incredibly warm, sensitive, and generous with his time; providing emotional, legal, and financial support to friends, family, and strangers, even if it meant doing without many things for himself. Tuffy approached life with his full heart and all his energy. He was a published poet and an engaging conversationist, who loved history, music and any event that brought his family and friends together.

Tuffy and Tonya met in 1988 while working for Child Inc. an organization providing support services for children and families dealing with domestic violence, abuse, homelessness, and other difficult circumstances. Over the next ten years they worked as house parents in a shelter for abused and neglected children, providing a stable caring environment where they could feel secure, develop self-esteem, and grow into happy and positive individuals.

While attending law school, Tuffy worked as a Juvenile Probation Officer, helping monitor and guide youthful offenders through court mandated rehabilitation programs, encouraging them to stay in school, learn to develop their talents to become productive and contributing adults. Later in his life he worked as an Administrative Law Judge, reviewing, and ruling on unemployment insurance appeals hearings. He provided guidance to countless individuals during the Covid pandemic in filing for Paycheck Protection Program benefits.

Ten years ago, when one of Tonya’s nieces was going through difficulties with drug addiction and subsequent incarceration, Tuffy and Tonya stepped up to take temporary custody of her three children. Though not having any children of their own, they instantly became parents to three boys aged 6 months to 14 years old. Since that time, they have provided a warm and loving home with much needed structure and support to all three boys. They enrolled the boys in new schools, helped them with homework, drove them to after school programs, counseling, and doctors’ appointments. They encouraged them to work hard in school and to participate in sports and other fun activities. The eldest, now in college, is pursuing a pharmacy degree and working part-time at AI DuPont Hospital to help support his education. The younger two boys, now 10 and 12, are active young boys who enjoy sports, video games and playing with their friends. While very bright and inquisitive, they both struggle with some emotional and behavioral challenges.

This is going to be a difficult time for the boys as they adjust to life without the only father they have ever known. Tonya must now adjust to raising three boys without Tuffy’s daily presence, good humor, loving care, and financial support. Tuffy’s family has started this GoFundMe page as a memorial to the generous spirit in which Tuffy lived and to help Tonya support their boys as they transition to a world without the only father they have ever known.

If you would like to make a donation in Tuffy’s memory to create an emergency fund for Tonya and the boys, please click on the Donate Now button. Please help us spread the word about the memorial fund, by sharing this link on your social media network.